Manual del músico de jazz: a practical guide to improvisation

Roberto Somoza

Describing something as vague and extensive as the art of improvisation is as much as trying to describe in words what it feels like to breathe or drink water. This should be borne in mind before starting any book consisting in the analysis of any art form.

That being said, this book is aimed to develop imagination and creativity. According to trumpeter Clark Terry, there are three essential steps in the artistic development process: assimilation, progress and innovation. That is precisely the philosophy of this book and the main objective behind its contents.

Here the different sections included in this volume:

1. Basic improvising theory
2. Jazz standards to daily practice
3. Contemporary jazz standards
4. Daily technical exercises
5. Jazz patterns and licks
6. Jazz patterns and licks, extended by the author
7. Summary: frequent doubts
8. Effective practice plan for music students